April Author Spotlight 2015
Letter ‘K’ is for June Kearns author of The 20s Girl, the Ghost, and all that Jazz
Why do I recommend The 20s Girl, the Ghost, and all that Jazz?
I really enjoyed this wonderful novel. It draws you in from page one with the settings, writing style, love story, and hint of humour. It’s set in the emotionally and financially challenging post WWI years, and you will experience the fertile, green and rainy English countryside, with its polite and quaint inhabitants, as well as a hot and dry, Texan ranch, with its rough cowboys!
I loved the unusual romance, with its drawn-out courtship, ups and downs, transatlantic twists and turns, and of course, the ghost who is cleverly, and convincingly, wound into the story from the beginning. I was so worried about loveable Gerry, who was almost compelled to marry the wrong person out of desperation, and so in love with Coop, the unforgettable Texan hero, who is as mysterious, moody, undecipherable, intense, rich, and magnanimous as any Byronic hero ever was!
It’s a delightful novel that will make you laugh, and fret, and believe in mischievous ghosts, and of course, love.
Who would enjoy The 20s Girl, the Ghost, and all that Jazz? books, June?
Well if like me, you’re a sucker for romance, threaded through with history and humour – plus a splash of drama and angst – my books might appeal! They’re probably best described as historical romantic comedy. Why the 20’s Girl? Even before the remake of Gatsby and advent of Downton, there was just something in the air about the 1920s – the music, style and fashion.
The story was also partly inspired by a 1920s newspaper headline: ‘A million women too many! 1920 husband hunt!’ – about that generation of surplus women in England after the First World War, who were left with little hope of love or marriage. They were given advice: ‘If you’re hoping for a husband – be warned. Nice young men have no time for jazzing flappers.’ And: ‘Cheer up, dears. Cupid’s arrows aren’t waiting for everyone. Why not concentrate on good works.’
What are you working on now?
At the moment, I’m writing another novel, my third, set in London in the 1960s – based (loosely!) on my experiences as a young photographer at that time. My main memories of the era are the fashion (shopping at Biba and Mary Quant! Why didn’t I keep all those clothes!), ironing my hair, (this was well before straighteners and I’ve always had serious frizz!), and my beautiful best friend, (she looked like a young Elizabeth Taylor, sigh – a serious drawback for me when meeting men.)
What would you like readers to know about you?
My star sign is Cancer, and it’s probably telling that my favourite position has always been behind the shell, peeping out. I’ve fond memories from childhood of sitting under the kitchen table, hidden by fringes of the chenille cloth and hearing teaspoons clink as my mum and her sisters, whispered and laughed at gossip. The onlooker, the observer. The writer in training?
How can we find out more or contact you?
My Twitter: @june_kearns
My Facebook
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Please take some time to check out some of the other blogs on the A-Z Challenge. There are plenty of interesting and varied topics.
Wonderful to see June’s book here, it was a real delight to read.
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Thank you, Rosie.
You’ve been a wonderful supporter!
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Another one from June I really feel I need to read, it sounds wonderful – thanks for sharing 🙂
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Thank you:) June has such a wonderful sense of humour and elegance in her prose, she’s indeed a joy to read💟
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Thanks for featuring me here, Luccia – it’s a real compliment.
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It’s my pleasure to feature such a talented writer and delightful novel on my blog 💟🌹💖
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Thanks for that, Georgia!
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This is a lovely book – I love June’s writing.
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Ah thank you, Alison – I so admire your own writing style.
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I have this in my to read list, looking forward to it 🙂
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Good morning, Cathy!
Thank you again for that lovely review today.
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My pleasure, June 🙂
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Nice one, ladies – and I’ve just noticed that I interpreted the last question the wrong way and just gave you my blog links, Luccia!!!! Should I re-write?
June, I am so looking forward to your 60s book!!!
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I’m not sure, Terry. Let me check and I’ll let you know later. I’m at work now.
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Ah, thanks Terry – I hope you won’t lose interest (#slowworker)
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Lovely review and very well deserved. Great to also know June’s writing plans going forward. Love the sound of the upcoming novel. 🙂
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Me too! I love novels set in the 50s and swinging 60s 💖🌹💟
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Thank you, Jan – it’s upcoming slowly!
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Wonderful book, lovely review. It’s so nice to get to meet the author!
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Interesting review, Luccia. On it goes to the TBR heap….!
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Thanks, Tan. (Love the name!)
Luccia’s given a great review.
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You’re next! I’m in stiches;) My husband has been worried all weekend as I’ve been quietly sitting on my sofa reading on my tablet and bursting out in laughter every few minutes!
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Excellent
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Nice to meet you too, Noelle.
Thank you for the comment!
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Oh, I’ve seen this book around a lot. I’d love to read it! On my TBR. 🙂
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Thank you, Dino!
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Sounds like a book I need to read. You keep adding to my already long to read list. If only there were more hours in a day.
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It’s a problem for all of us, Ula!
Thanks for dropping in.
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Fab read – If you haven’t read it, can highly recommend. Luccia’s review says it all.
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Hello, Mags!
Thank you for that.
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Reblogged this on June Kearns.
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I too highly recommend. June is a super writer, lots of wit and charm, and lovely layered characters. Can’t wait for her new one!
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Lovely comment.
Thanks Adrienne!
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Reblogged this on New Romantics 4 and commented:
Lovely blog post about June.
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Thank you for visiting, commenting, and reblogging 🙂 It was a pleasure to feature June 🙂
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So glad that you came out from under the table, June. You’ve been a great help and support to me on my writing journey and its great to see you finding new readers and admirers. Great blog, Luccia.
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Thank you, Lizzie for visiting and commenting. I’ve heard/read a lot of good things about you 💖 So you’re on my TBR list:)
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Thanks for that, Lizzie!
I know you’re on your hols and away from
the hoose.
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I’m a fan of June’s work! My favorite book is “An Englishwoman’s Guide to the Cowboy.” It’s like she writes of my two favorite cultures. I think while she was watching westerns I was watching Masterpiece Theater and Benny Hill. 🙂 I like her response to hiding under the table as a child, the observer, writer in training!
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I need to read this one!
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Ah, thank you Charli!
Our early TV preferences probably say a lot about us!
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